I’m on a roll with time management lately.  This is where to find Part I and Part II of the series.

Here’s one more thought for you on time management, and then you’ll know much of what I know.  This one’s a doozy, though, and most people don’t like to admit that it’s true, so brace yourself:

There won’t be more time later.  In fact, there will probably be less time later.

It’s always tempting to think that after some event or after some project is finished, there will be more time to work on whatever it is that you are putting off.  This is a fallacy, and the reason is that if there isn’t enough time for everything now, then things are being put off until later.  And that means that on top of all the stuff that belongs in the future, you’re adding stuff from the present.  And that means that there won’t be more time.  There will just be more to do.

If you find this depressing (and some people do), just remember that you can do something about it:  Get at least one thing off the list today.  That is one thing fewer you’ll be doing in the future, when there’s less time for it.

If you’re looking for Part I on time management, you can find it here.  This week, I have a few more thoughts on the subject that I hope you’ll find useful.

Once you have your overall timeline in place, try to stick to it.  It might be tempting to jump around from project to project, but I find it works better to finish one thing before going on to the next.  It helps you to focus on what you’re doing so that you don’t overlook the details and it also gives you a nice feeling of accomplishment when you check a project off your list.

Another trick is to use tiny scraps of time to best advantage.  If you have ten minutes while you’re waiting for an appointment, think of a small job you can get out of the way in time that might otherwise be wasted.  Look up reviews for a make-up artist you’re interested in or scan Pinterest for decor ideas.  Using these little bits of time can add up to a whole lot in the grand scheme.

But don’t worry!  You can get it all done in time.

As you might imagine, I know a thing or two about time management.  I’d like to share some tips with you.  While these are applicable to just about everything in life, they are especially useful when it comes to wedding planning.

It’s tempting to procrastinate on projects until you’re close to the deadline, but that tends to be a bad idea for event planning.  One way to avoid that syndrome is to set yourself mini-deadlines.  For example, you could say that you want to have an officiant hired by a certain date and a florist figured out three weeks later.  And don’t wait until the deadline to start working on the project.  You can save yourself many headaches by working slowly and steadily.  It doesn’t give you an endorphin rush, but it doesn’t give you ulcers, either.

If you’re having trouble setting yourself deadlines, you might want to consider working with a professional who is good at that sort of thing.  It’s not everyone’s best skill, so hiring someone to complement your skill set could be a very smart move.

If you are happy working by yourself, here’s another tip:  I find that the easiest way to make a timeline is to work backwards.  Start with your final deadline (the wedding day!) and work back through everything that needs to be done.  Be realistic–or perhaps pessimistic–about how long it will take to do things.  And if you miss a deadline, it’s important to simply forgive yourself and keep working.

And remember, these are only guidelines, not iron-clad rules, and sometimes the best way to stay on track is to break the rules.  But if you need some guidance, these are a good place to start.